There was a loud creaking sound and I felt the floor move beneath my feet. The entire dance floor was being raised! I gripped Gideon’s shoulders as we rose slowly higher and higher.
Other couples were holding on to each other and talking around us. The orchestra played again as the floor finally clicked into place. We were on top of the building. I looked up at the sky and then back at Gideon. His eyes were filled with intensity as we danced.
Lark, this may be the last time I hold you in my arms.
I shook my head and pressed my forehead into his shoulder. He put his hand on the small of my back, drawing me closer. Now that it was dark, no one would notice how close we were.
With desperate effort, I focused on projecting the words I was thinking. We don’t have much time. Please, just hear me. Hear me!
I looked up at him but he hadn’t heard. Moisture pricked the backs of my eyes in frustration. “It can’t be over. I’m not ready,” I whispered.
He buried his face in my hair and our movements slowed until we were standing still. He pulled back. Follow me.
I tilted my head but didn’t protest as he took my hand and threaded us through clusters of dancing couples. Rusty danced with Cypris, but they weren’t looking our direction. I couldn’t see Skye or anyone else I recognized as Gideon led me off the floor. We moved away from the music toward a secluded balcony.
Once we were around the corner, Gideon looked in every direction to make sure we were alone. My heart raced with anticipation as he pulled me behind a pillar and took my face in his hands, crushing my lips to his. My breath hitched and I threw my arms around his neck, kissing him back fiercely.
We were completely hidden in shadow, but even if we’d been in broad daylight I wouldn’t have cared. In that moment, I would have risked anything to be with Gideon. His light spilled into me, becoming painful after a few minutes, but I fought against the pain.
He pulled away, his breathing fast. I shook my head and reached for him again, but he held me back.
“Are you okay?” He searched my face.
I nodded, pulling on the lapels of his tuxedo jacket. “Don’t stop.”
He shook his head, his face strained. “I have to. I know you’re feeling my light.”
I put my hands on my hips and stomped my heel. “Yes, okay? I feel your light, but the pain is nothing like the pain of being separated from you. If this is our last night together, then I want to spend every second of it with you.”
He cupped his hand along the side of my face. “I should walk away right now. Say good bye and let you go.”
I took his hand, closing my eyes as I pressed it to my cheek. Don’t leave. I need you.
“I never knew how weak I was until I met you. You’re my Kryptonite.”
I opened my eyes and blinked. “What?”
He tilted his head. “You know—Superman? His one weakness?”
I grinned. “I know what it is, I’m just surprised you made another super hero reference.”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “I’m full of surprises.”
I brought his hand to my lips and kissed his palm. He sighed and leaned his forehead against mine.
The point is, I’m too weak to do the right thing here. So I’ve come up with a plan.
My heart sank as I looked into his eyes. The calling card was like a millstone in my pocket. It was too late for plans now.
He traced my cheek as his eyes studied mine. Once you’re settled back on Earth, I’m coming to you.
My body went completely still. “How can you do that?” I whispered. “Won’t they find out?”
He took my hand and clasped it tightly. “I’ll go off-grid. If they find me, the fall’s on me. You won’t get into trouble, I’ll make sure of that.”
I stepped back, dropping my hand. “No. You’ve worked too hard to become a Freedom Fighter. I won’t let you risk losing everything. Not for me. Besides—”
I was about to tell him about the calling card when he stepped forward and put his hand around my waist, pulling me in for another kiss. My knees went weak as he moved from my mouth, trailing kisses down my neck.
Gideon, I sighed, tears spilling from the corners of my eyes.
He returned to my mouth and kissed me tenderly. For a thrilling moment, I thought he’d heard me, but when he pulled away again, I knew he hadn’t.
I closed my eyes in frustration. It wasn’t working. Professor Atwood was wrong. I couldn’t Claim Gideon.
My cuff buzzed. I opened my eyes and read the message from Rusty.
They’re about to start the ceremony. Where are you?
I glanced at Gideon and he nodded. “We have to go.”
I threw myself into his arms and he hugged me tightly to his chest, burying his face into my neck.
There’s no sense arguing about it, love. I’d risk anything to be with you.
“So would I,” I whispered, pulling him closer before letting go.
He stepped back and smiled as he took both of my hands. “Then there’s nothing left for us to do but celebrate. Come on.” He kissed my hand and then let it drop as we stepped out of the shadow of the pillar.
I followed him, forcing my tears to stay in check. I would let him have this moment of happiness before reality hit. I didn’t have to see the timer to know that time was almost up.
CHAPTER
Thirty-Nine
We worked our way back to the crowded dance floor toward a stage where Grace stood with Rusty. As soon as I reached the floor, a spotlight found me.
“There she is!” Grace’s voice amplified. “Why don’t we give Captain Taylor a warm welcome as she makes her way to the stage?”
A blush warmed my face as Recruits and Guardians clapped. Gideon cleared a path for me, then took my hand and helped me onto the steps leading to the stage.
I’ll be right here, he said against the noise.
I squeezed his hand. Goodbye, Gideon.
The thickness in my throat threatened to choke me. I swallowed against it and stepped onto the stage, my heels clacking on the wood as I moved to stand beside Rusty.
Grace nodded at me. Up close I could see her bloodshot eyes behind her glasses. She faced the crowd as the applause died down. “Now, it will be our privilege to have Captain Taylor deliver a small speech. Afterward, Captain Harris will hand out a keepsake to each of you, and then we have a video montage for you to enjoy.” Grace turned to me with a tired smile and stretched out her hand. “Captain Taylor.”
I stepped forward, feeling oddly empowered as the crowd cheered again. Now that the moment was here a strange calm settled over me. I stepped up to the podium and looked out at the sea of faces, recognizing Clara, Farim, and others I’d gotten to know at the Academy. We came from all different countries and backgrounds, but we were a family—Earth’s family. And my family was counting on me.
I took a deep breath. “Fellow Recruits,” I paused, getting used to the sound of my voice amplified, “I am honored to speak with you tonight at the close of our training program. It has been a privilege to record what I have observed this past week.” I shifted my weight. “You see, that was my job . . . to record.” I gestured to my screens. “My lenses were cameras taking footage of your classes, and I wrote detailed notes in a field journal. To be honest, when I was first told about my assignment, I couldn’t see how it was important. I wanted to be doing something, like the rest of you. I mean, how could taking record of what I saw help our society back home?”
I shook my head. “But then it dawned on me—records are vital. They’re the key to what our society needs. Not just the records I’m taking now, but all of the records from our world which were destroyed. Because if we don’t know the truth about our past, we lose sight of where we came from—of who we are and what’s important.”
Gideon’s gaze found me from the crowd below. His eyes shone with admiration and he nodded once.
I gave a faint smi
le in return and continued, “Some of you may have heard the name Abraham Lincoln. He was the sixteenth president of the United States. Most of his legacy has been forgotten due to the loss of our records, but he once said that ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ It was a powerful quote, but he didn’t come up with it—he was quoting something else.” I held up my copy of the Bible. “Another forgotten record. Our forefathers understood the importance of learning from the past. They also knew that in order for any nation or world to succeed, there must be unity.”
I blew out a breath and set the Bible on the podium. “Earth has never been more divided, and it’s our job to change that. We may be a small group of Earth’s population, but I believe that if we stand united in purpose, we can start a change for the better—a change that will convince the Council we are a people worth saving.”
The crowd cheered and I turned to Rusty. He moved to stand beside me, holding the bag of pins. I took one out of the bag and held it up. “Captain Harris will be giving a pin to each of you. Keep it safe. It’s more than just a keepsake of your time on Lior: it’s a memory drive.”
Murmurs of surprise rippled through the crowd.
I nodded. “Back on Earth, my father hid a secret Archive of our world’s history. I’ve taken that Archive and put copies in each of your pins. Take the drive home and share it with everyone you can.” I raised the pin higher. “This is how we save our people—by reminding them of who they are. Earth’s history is filled with stories of overcoming; of improving; of defying the odds.” I swallowed. “And most of all, of hope.”
I lowered my hand. “We are experiencing a dark time, but if there’s one thing we learn from history, it’s that there is always hope. People can change. People will change.” Chills covered my arms as my father’s words filled my mind. “Most people have good in them, and there are a lot of people who want to do what’s right. We just have to show them how.” I held up the pin. “The knowledge of our past is the key to saving our future.”
The crowd erupted. I waited for them to quiet and then gripped the podium. “Remember this: we are not ‘Recruits.’ We are not pawns to be used in someone else’s game—we are citizens of Earth, and it’s time to take back our planet!” I raised my fist and the crowd roared in approval.
Rusty walked to the front of the stage toward the outstretched hands of the Recruits and handed out pins. A huge weight lifted off me as I watched. Now I wasn’t the only one who had this knowledge. My dad’s sacrifice wasn’t for nothing.
A hand gripped my shoulder. I turned and saw Grace, her eyes moist as she smiled. “You did well, Captain. I knew you would figure it out.”
I nodded. “I don’t know why it took me so long. The Archive—I was Chosen because I had the Archive.”
“No.” Her eyes crinkled in the corners. “You were Chosen because you knew how important it was.”
I blinked. Without thinking, I reached out and gave her a hug.
She stiffened, then returned the hug. “If this was our last session at the Academy, it was still worth it. Your race is going to be just fine,” she said.
Tears threatened to spill onto my cheeks. I was out of time. I pulled back and gave her a sad smile. “Don’t give up on the Academy just yet. There are more moves to make until we reach ‘checkmate.’”
She tilted her head. “Perhaps.” Her face softened. “And for the record, you were never a pawn. You’re the queen, remember?” She winked and moved to the podium.
I swallowed as I watched her go. Sometimes the queen had to sacrifice herself to protect others.
Grace called the crowd to attention. “Recruits, it’s time for the video montage to commemorate your stay with us.”
Without preamble, a giant holographic video began playing over the crowd. It started with images from Cooking—the first class Rusty and I had observed. The crowd laughed and commented as Recruits recognized themselves and their classmates.
I turned to Rusty, forcing back the emotion building in my chest. “You did good, Captain.”
“You too.” He took my hand and kissed it. “We owe you everything.”
The crowd laughed as a Recruit got whacked on his safety helmet by a dropped hammer in Construction. I watched the clip as if in slow motion—the pieces clicking into place. We were trained on food, shelter and everything else we needed. Had Isabel been right—were they training us to survive?
As if cued by my thoughts, footage of Botany showed next, with a special tribute to Isabel. The crowd fell silent out of respect. Someone came up behind me. I didn’t have to look to know it was Gideon. He placed his hand on the small of my back.
It’s going to be torment until I see you again.
Gideon, please forgive me. I closed my eyes against the pain—keeping my back to him so he wouldn’t see the agony on my face. I hugged my arms across my chest, trying to use Mindspeak to explain why I’d done what I did.
The hologram cut out unexpectedly. I looked up in surprise. When it blinked back a few seconds later, there was footage of a glowing blue pond. My blood ran cold as the video closed in on the pond, zooming in to a close-up of me and Gideon.
We were kissing.
The crowd gasped. Everyone began edging away from us except for Rusty and Nadia, who moved in protectively closer.
Gideon spun on Nadia, his eyes flashing anger mixed with fear. “What have you done? Don’t you know what they’ll do to her?”
Nadia shook her head, her eyes haunted. “It wasn’t me, I swear.”
“Stop this video at once!” Grace called from the microphone, but it continued to play. There was footage of me and Gideon in the barn my first night on Lior, this time taken from my vantage point. From my screens.
Cold terror paralyzed me. I turned to Gideon, my mouth open as the perimeter around us grew. “I-I didn’t have the recorders then. I don’t know how it was recording . . .”
His eyes flashed and he gripped my shoulders. Run.
I shook my head. “I won’t leave you.”
Gideon cursed under his breath and turned to Rusty. “Take her. Go!”
Rusty grabbed my hand, forcing me to move, but I fought against him, my heels dragging across the floor. “No—it’s my fault! It was my choice!”
A few screams erupted from the crowd, drawing our attention to the back of the rooftop where a small regime of black-clad bodyguards marched forward, led by Lord Krane.
My heart stopped. What had I done? I’d planned to go to Bahira to plead with the Council for Earth, but by calling him here I’d ruined everything.
Krane lifted the black cape covering his head, his thin lips forming a sneer. “Lieutenant Hardcastle, it would seem that we were right to close the Academy. Clearly your program has spun wildly out of control.” His slithering voice carried across the space. “First, one of your Recruits is murdered on campus, and now,” his pink eyes narrowed as they roamed over me. “We have recorded proof of the most fundamental of all intergalactic laws violated—romantic attachments between persons of different worlds.”
Grace paled and gripped the podium. “Your Excellency, I’m sure this has all been a misunderstanding—”
“Enough!” Krane’s shriek stunned us all into silence. He clicked his tongue, shaking his head in exaggerated disappointment. “Under the circumstances, I’m afraid there will be no further negotiations for the Academy. This Recruit and her Guardian must answer to the law for what they have done.”
My stomach pooled with ice. Gideon found my gaze and held onto it, his sapphire eyes swimming in torment. Lark, this has all been my fault. I won’t let them hurt you.
I shook my head as tears blurred my vision. Gideon, I’m so sorry.
Krane turned to his guards, motioning to Gideon. “Have him shipped to the prison planet at once.”
“No!” I screamed, fighting to get out of Rusty’s grip, but he held me fast.
Krane turned to me, his pink eyes calcul
ating as he sneered. “Captain Taylor will be taken to Bahira, where I will personally see to it that she pays her sentence in full.”
“Captain Taylor isn’t going anywhere,” Gideon growled. His eyes glowed as he took a step toward Krane.
My lungs seized in panic.
“Wait!” Nadia yelled, standing in front of Gideon. “This was all a setup. I know who killed Isabel, and who sabotaged this video.”
“Silence!” Lord Krane screeched. “We saw the proof with our own eyes. There is no trial when one of the universal laws is broken.”
“Lord Krane,” Grace said over the amplifier. “Those same universal laws state that a member of the Council should obtain all possible facts before proclaiming a sentence—unless you have something to hide?”
Krane swept his cape behind him, his pink eyes burning with hatred. “Recorded video is all the fact I need . . . but very well. Let her speak. It’s of no consequence anyway.”
Nadia stepped forward, visibly shaking. “Lieutenant, I believe Cadet Slade Donovan is responsible for sabotaging this video. He has been hiding in my bedroom since he was sentenced a few days ago.”
There were several gasps and Lord Krane’s thin lips formed a line.
“Holy crap,” Rusty said, loosening his grip on my arm.
I turned wide eyes to Gideon. He stared at his sister in shock.
Tears ran from Nadia’s eyes. “I shouldn’t have hidden him, but I didn’t think he deserved to go to prison for one mistake.” Her face hardened and she shook her head. “But he didn’t kill Isabel. He was in my room when it happened.”
Grace’s face was grim. “You said you knew who killed her?”
Nadia wiped at her tears and turned to point at Lord Krane. “It was him. He trained Slade to use Light Kill, and he released Slade from his holding cell before he could be interrogated. But when Slade refused to kill one of the Recruits, Lord Krane did it and made it look like Slade.”
“Preposterous!” Lord Krane took a step toward Nadia. “Do you know the penalty for falsely accusing a member of the Council?”
“It’s not false, Krane, and you know it.” Slade stepped forward from the shadows. There were murmurs of surprise as a perimeter formed around him.
Silence of Stars Page 29
